Ginetta in fast lane with supercar deal

Ginetta, part of entrepreneur Lawrence Tomlinson's LNT Group, based in Garforth, Leeds, wants to boost the UK sales of Farbio Sports Cars, which has previously concentrated on Japan and the Middle East.

The deal, the value of which has not been revealed, allows Ginetta to extend its road car offering. Farbio will be re-named Ginetta but Chris Marsh, its managing director, will remain in the post.

Ginetta, an iconic marque has been building road and race cars since 1958 and was acquired by LNT in 2005. Today it turns over 4m a year and has 40 staff.

Mr Tomlinson, chairman of LNT, is a motor racing enthusiast who has competed at Le Mans. He said: "I have been continually impressed by Farbio – Chris Marsh and his team have established a car which incorporates complex design with obvious beauty.

"The acquisition by Ginetta will mean we can further develop on the existing carbon fibre component facility which is housed at Bath whilst using Ginetta's considerable motorsport credentials and inherently strong brand identity to propel a road car to international acclaim."

Farbio was set up by Mr Marsh, a former racing driver, in 2005 and has ten staff.

Its Farbio GTS is a lightweight British supercar.

Mr Marsh said: "I have been following Lawrence's achievements over the past years, having been at Le Mans for his first win in 2006 and am very much looking forward to working with him and his team to expand the brand."

Plans are underway to make the Farbio race car suitable for use on ordinary roads in the US and Mr Tomlinson is to go there next week to begin the certification process.

Mr Tomlinson has a portfolio of companies ranging from Ideal Care Homes to an executive helicopter business.